HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – If Kayla Harrison ever crosses paths with Julia Budd, she’ll be more than ready.
Budd, the former Bellator women’s featherweight champion, signed with PFL, promotion officials announced Wednesday. A staple on PFL’s roster, two-time judoka Olympic gold medalist and reigning PFL lightweight champ Harrison (11-0) is happy to see the promotion continue to strengthen its roster.
“That’s great for the PFL,” Harrison told MMA Junkie. “I think it’s awesome they’re continuing to build their women’s division, and she’s obviously a Bellator champion, former champion, and it’s a great signing.”
Budd debuts against Kaitlin Young at the 2021 PFL Championship on Oct. 27. In the night’s headliner, Harrison will attempt to win the PFL title for the second consecutive time when she takes on Taylor Guardado (3-1) in the women’s lightweight final.
Having dominated everyone put in front of her, Budd would certainly be – at least on paper – Harrison’s sternest test to date. But with Harrison a free agent at the end of the PFL season, it’s uncertain if that matchup will ever come to fruition.
“I think I’ve watched her fight before, of course,” Harrison said. “She’s a bit of a bigger name in the sport, but I didn’t know they signed her. I’m not privy to these conversations. I’ve said it many times, I’ll fight whoever is in front of me, I don’t really care.”
She continued, “I think it’s an exciting fight. I look forward to competing against her one day if the stars the align. And if not, I wish her the best of luck in her PFL career.”
